Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies

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Samuel Johnson. Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies

Introduction on Tragedies

TRAGEDIES

Vol. IV. MACBETH

Vol. VII. CORIOLANUS

Vol. VIII. JULIUS CAESAR

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

TIMON OF ATHENS

TITUS ANDRONICUS

Vol. IX. TROILUS AND CRESSIDA

CYMBELINE

KING LEAR

Vol. I. ROMEO AND JULIET

HAMLET

OTHELLO

Отрывок из книги

(392) Most of the notes which the present editor has subjoined to this play were published by him in a small pamphlet in 1745.

I.i (393,*) Enter three Witches] In order to make a true estimate of the abilities and merit of a writer, it it always necessary to examine the genius of his age, and the opinions of his contemporaries. A poet who should now make the whole action of his tragedy depend upon enchantment, and produce the chief events by the assistance of supernatural agents, would be censured as transgressing the bounds of probability, be banished from the theatre to the nursery, and condemned to write fairy tales instead of tragedies; but a survey of the notions that prevailed at the time when this play was written, will prove that Shakespeare was in no danger of such censures, since he only turned the system that was then universally admitted, to his advantage, and was far from overburthening the credulity of his audience.

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II.ii.19 (340,5) he wav'd indifferently] That is, he would wave indifferently.

II.ii.29 (341,6) supple and courteous to the people; bonnetted] The sense, I think, requires that we should read, unbonnetted. Who have risen only by pulling off their hats to the people. Bonnetted may relate to people, but not without harshness.

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